The stalwart men of OU Delta Tau Delta, from back in the day, L-R, Tom Gudgel, Doug Miller (THS Oklahomans Master of Ceremonies), Rob Berry, honorary member Frank Keating, John, Mark Mindeman, and Jim Stover. (Not pictured: Jack L. Brown)

Tulsa showed up in force to support The Oklahomans! Over 100 folks rallied out to the beautiful Tulsa Historical Society Travis Mansion for an enthusiastic lunchtime T-town rollout for Volume 1 of our new Oklahoma History book.

Highlights included the ravishing chuck wagon-size spread by John Cash and his Trail’s End BBQ, in our humble opinion the finest in the region.

Also, an inspiring talk by Tulsa native and two-term former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, who wrote the Oklahomans’ foreword, and rollicking work by master of ceremonies and former Oklahoma State Legislative leader Doug Miller.

John spoke about the challenge for Oklahomans to pass along both the good and bad lessons of our history, as well as pride for the grit and courage of our forefathers who built a great American state up from the plains, prairies, and hillsides.

Freda Rogers of Bartlesville won the drawing among those who shared the Tulsa Oklahomans’ Facebook event page for a framed and mounted print of Durant historical artist Neal Taylor’s magnificent painting A Run for All Reasons, which graces the front cover of the book.

Socializing and revelry continued for a couple of hours within the beautiful and historic Tulsa Historical Society.

Ted Owens, one of the great college basketball coaches in NCAA history at the University of Kansas, and also a Hollis native, OU basketball star, and Tulsa resident, presents John an autographed copy of his book At the Hang-Up.

Tulsa attendees Louann Buhlinger and Catherine deCamp join Gov. Keating and John.

Claremore optometrist Jim “Stick Man” Stover and John reminisce about their shared basketball glories and ignominies of the (very distant) past.

Several of John’s Duncan High classmates attended, including the afore-mentioned John Cash, Susan Brasel, and David “The Admiral” Sargent.

Red River Press staffer Nick “Bull Rider” Curry and his grandfather, Oklahomans advisor Clark Curry, join Gov. Keating and John.

The entire event was adroitly managed by THS Communications and Facilities Manager Britni Worley.

John unsuccessfully attempts to reenact Gov. Keating’s recent head wound.

Wife Grace and Gov. Keating pose with the man who is very grateful to both of them!